Safety match container



April 1. 5 H. G. KLASSEN SAFETY MATCH CONTAINER Filed June 10, 1952 fnvemor QQ /M W/tne 86% 1:

I l I I I l Patented Apr. 7, 1936 Mirli'i'ED dTATES ibditfiti PATENT 9Claims.

This invention relates to lighters and more particularly to lighterswherein means is provided for igniting match like members and bringingthem into position for use.

In the ordinary use of matches and match boxes, it is necessary toremove the matches from the container and ignite them by scratching themon some abrasive material. In this ordinary use of matches they arelikely to be dropped, and thereby constitute considerable fire hazard.This invention provides a device wherein match like members are easilyand conveniently positioned for use without removal from the container,and wherein the matches are simultaneously positioned and ignited. Theburned matches are retained within the container and are not discardedas with the ordinary match box, thereby providing a further safetyconsideration. The containers also provide convenient surfaces foradvertising or other printed matter.

It is an object of my invention to provide a lighter wherein the matchesare consecutively brought into position for use and simultaneouslylighted. Also to provide a lighting device having one or a plurality ofmovable members therein, each of the members being provided withoutwardly extending matchlike arms arranged to be moved with the movablemembers and thereby to be consecutively positioned for use andsimultaneously ignited. A further object is the provision of a deviceincluding a casing or support having an opening therein and meanswhereby matches inclosed in the casing may be consecutively moved intoalignment with the openings and simultaneously ignited. This inventionalso provides a convenient device wherein a stock of matches arecontained within the container and means is provided whereby the matchesare exposed one at a time and whereby during the movement of the matchto the exposed position it is simultaneously ignited. May it beunderstood that said containers are constructed of fireproof material orother substantially treated material.

Further objects will be apparent from the specifications and theappended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of my invention in whichthe igniting surface is on a member supported and positioned to engagethe outer end of the match as it is moved to the exposed position. Thistype of base is constructed of wood or other suitable material, thesupporting surfaces are fastened to the base by glueing or othersuitable means.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of my invention inwhich the rotary members are off-set out of axial alignment, theigniting surface is inside the container. This type of container isconstructed of a single piece of cardboard or other material.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment similar to that shown inFig. 2 except that the rotatable members are in axial alignment.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3 inits partially assembled form before the casing has been glued orotherwise secured together.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of one of the movable match units.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view through the 15 match unitillustrated in Fig. 5 taken on a line corresponding to line 6-5 of Fig.5.

Fig. 7 is a top plan of one of the containers or support blanks beforebeing folded.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view through the completely assembled device andtaken on a line corresponding substantially to line 8-8 of Fig. 2.

Fig; 9 is a fragmentary detailed View of a match igniting device orfriction surface as a portion of the case. 25

Fig. 10 is a detailed sectional view of the igniting or friction deviceand taken on a line corresponding to line ill-ll] of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the container provided with a cover forthe exposed match. 30

Referring to the drawing in detail:

The embodiment illustrated in my invention comprises a casing l, Fig. 3,this casing is formed of a single blank which comprises sidewalls 2 anda central portion 3. The walls are provided with side flaps i, and endflaps 5.

The blank as illustrated in Fig. 7 is arranged to be folded on thedotted lines as shown in Fig. 4:, the flaps i are then secured togetherby glueing or other suitable means. The end flaps 5, may be 40 securedto the intermediate section 6, the blank then forms a rigid casing orcontainer similar to that in Fig. 3 having two compartments, each ofwhich is arranged to support a movable match carrying member, which asin the embodiment illustrated is a rotary device comprising a member I,which may be in the form of a disk, having a plurality of outwardlyextending radially disposed arms 8, the ends of which are provided withthe usual ignitible match head material as shown by 9. The safety flapis formed in the opening it and takes the position as illustrated byiii.

The disks or rotors are preferably formed of paper or other suitablematerial which may be pressed into form as shown. Each rotor is pro- 55vided with an outwardly extending hub I 0 which is arranged to extendthrough one of the openings II in the side walls 2, thereby providingbearing surface. A flap or safety cover l2, Fig. 11 may be used ifdesired, the cover is moved outwardly when the device is used. Aprotection flap I3, is formed downward to isolate the lighted match fromthe remainder of the pack. The points of ignition l5 also serve the samepurpose on the opposite side of the lighted match. The rotor may beformed with a bead I 4, which serves to position the rotor equidistantbetween the compartment walls and to provide bearing surfaces therefor.

The casing is provided with a plurality of formed portions l5, whichwhen the blank is folded are in oppositely disposed alignment transverseto the path of the match heads as the rotor is moved. These portions arefilled or covered with a friction or other match igniting material, sothat as the rotor is turned by means of the outwardly extending hub I0,the consecutive match heads pass between the friction surfaces and aretherefore ignited as they move into position for use, in alignment withthe opening [6 of the container.

It will be apparent that further modification may be made by thoseskilled in the art, and I therefore desire to be limited only by theprior art and the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I desire to secure by LettersPatent is:

l. A lighter of the character described comprising a box-like containerhaving openings therein, a plurality of ignitible members in saidcontainer movable one by one into alignment with said openings, andmeans supported by said container for igniting said members as they aremoved into alignment with said opening with a flap protruding from thetop or side of said opening to separate the lighted match from theunused matches remaining.

2. A lighter of the character described comprising a container havingoppositely disposed openings therein, a partition dividing the containerinto two compartments, a rotor in each compartment having radiallydisposed match arms, operating means integral with each rotor and anigniting portion in each compartment for cooperation with the matchheads and formed out of and integral with said container.

3. A lighter of the character described comprising a container havingseparate match compartments therein and each compartment having a matchexposing opening, a rotary member in each compartment having radiallydisposed match arms, a bearing member on each rotary member, andextending through the outer wall of said compartment to provide meansfor turning said rotary member and means in each of said compartments toignite said matches as they are moved into alignment with said openings,

the axes of said rotary members being in spaced parallel relation.

4. A lighter of the character described having off set compartmentstherein and having a side and a top opening in each compartment saidside openings being out of axial alignment, a rotor in each compartmentand each having a hub extending through its corresponding side openingand radially disposed match members, said top openings providing accessto the ends of said match members.

5. A lighter of the character described comprising a container havingoppositely disposed openings therein, a partition dividing the containerinto two compartments, a rotor in each compartment having radiallydisposed match arms, operating means integral with each rotor, means forigniting said matches during operation of the rotors, the axes of saidrotors being in parallel spaced relation.

6. A lighter of the character described comprising a container havingoppositely disposed openings therein, a partition dividing the containerinto two compartments, a rotor in each compartment having radiallydisposed match arms, operating means integral with each rotor, means ineach compartment for igniting successive matches during movement in onedirection, and means for preventing movement of the matches in theopposite direction.

7. A container for a rotary match lighter of the character describedcomprising a single blank of thin material having match exposingopenings, a match separating flap in each of said openings, rotorbearing openings in said blank, a plurality of oppositely disposedspaced igniting surfaces on the opposite sides of said blank, said blankbeing foldable on a plurality of lines to provide a two compartmentcontainer having oppositely disposed match openings substantiallyaligned bearing openings.

8. A rotor member for a lighter of the character described comprising acomparatively thin disc like fabric member having integrally formedradially disposed match arms, an integrally formed outwardly extendingactuating portion arranged to provide an axial bearing, and oppositelyembossed stabilizing rings formed around the said axial bearing.

9. A lighter of the type described comprising a single compartmentcontainer, a rotary match member having integrally formed radiallydisposed match arms therein, said container having a match exposingopening, abrasive surfaces formed in line with the path of the matchesin a side of said opening, concave match separators formed thereinopposite said abrasive surfaces, an integrally formed combined bearingmember and actuating knob movably supported therein and a bearing meansin said container for supporting the said rotor for its rotary motion.

HARRY GEORGE KLASSEN.

